Monday 1 February 2010

Brief reflections on Mo

Last night's Channel 4 "drama-documentary" on the latter life and times of former Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam was, unquestionably, a fine piece of television.

And the details of the story were largely accurate (unlike Braveheart and all those American war films that forget that Britain played a part too).

However, a couple of quick observations.

As someone who worked for the Ulster Unionists throughout Mo's tenure as Secretary of State, I was irritated, but not in the least bit surprised, at the portrayal of my former boss David Trimble as something akin to a big bad wolf.

There seems to be an unwritten rule that any Unionist politician appearing in any drama of any kind must come across as cold, humourless and angry. It's unfair and it's untrue but I suppose it excuses both writers and viewers from the task of having to think for themselves.

Some of the castings also were a little on the lax side, a couple hilariously so.

For example, Peter Kilfoyle, whilst a Scouser, is neither tall nor dark. And Adam Ingram isn't a bald geriatric.

On the upside, whoever decided to cast Mini Me as loyalist godfather Johnny "Mad Dog" Adair and a short-arsed bulimic as Gerry Adams deserves some kind of reward. I almost wet myself.

As for Mo, clearly Julie Walters was an inspired choice - have you ever seen her in anything bad?

And I thought she got very close to the real Mo, who I had the privilege of meeting on several occasions.

People can argue about how pivotal Mo was in delivering so-called "peace" in Northern Ireland.

But her love for the place and its people was certainly beyond reproach. And for this, she should not and will not be forgotten.

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